Navigation area:

Translation Grant Programme

The Goethe-Institut’s grant programme “Translations of German Books into Other Languages” supports non-German publishers in publishing German-language literature, with the aim of making accessible to non-German speaking readers current works of contemporary literature, literature for children and young people, important academic titles and non-fiction works.

The programme serves cultural policy goals and is an important guiding instrument for cultural and educational foreign policy.

In the nearly 40 years of its existence, the programme has provided financial support for the publication of approximately 6000 books in 45 languages.

The Goethe-Institut in your country will evaluate your application. If it approves your application it will send its recommendation to the headquarters of the Goethe-Institut in Munich. There a committee will decide on the sum to be granted.

The committee meets four times a year as follows:

Beginning of February: application deadline: 1 December

End of April: application deadline: 1 March

End of July: application deadline:1 June

Beginning of November: application deadline:15 September

Applications for non-fiction and academic works will only be considered in February and July committee meetings.

Applications only by publishers: Only non-German publishers are eligible to apply.

German works published in print form: The Goethe-Institut supports the translation of works by German authors which have been published in print form by a German language publisher.

Translation from German original: The translation must be made from the original German-language text.

Publication date: Translations are only eligible for support if they have not yet gone to press at the point when the grant contract is signed.

Partial covering of translation costs: In cases where an application for a translation grant is successful, the Goethe-Institut contributes part of the translation costs to the publisher, payable on publication of the translated work. It is not envisaged that the Goethe-Institut will finance the full costs of the translation or printing or editorial costs.

Printing of a credit line and Goethe-Institut's logo: The publisher of the translation must name the Goethe-Institut as sponsor in the book’s imprint and must reproduce the Goethe-Institut logo. If this requirement is not met, the Goethe-Institut reserves the right to withhold payment of the grant.

Translator's fee: If a grant is awarded, only such translation fees as will already have been paid to the translator by the time of publication may be taken into account when the amount of the grant is being determined.

E-books of translations in the Onleihe: The Goethe-Institut would like to make translations that are published with an additional e-book version available in its Onleihe (an eLibrary) so that its registered users have access to it. The publisher commits itself to providing an ePub format of the translation to the Goethe-Institut.

Translation Support China

Upon seeing a growing demand in the field of translation support, the Goethe-Institut China decided to supplement the worldwide programme conducted by the Goethe-Institut with a locally independent support programme for China. Starting from 2009, about 100 titles with a focus on social science and humanities have been supported within this framework.

A jury of chinese and german experts has recommended important titles from the fields of philosophy, sociology, law and literaray studies. To support their translation, Chinese publishers were able to apply to the Goethe-Institut to cover the expenses of translation. Moreover, the Goethe-Institut helped publishers to find qualified translators. Almost all titles on the recommendation lists have now been commissioned. Many are almost completed or in the process of being translated.

Translated titles are promoted by the Goethe-Institut and other supporting organizations through events with authors, illustrators, translators and publishers, but also through Chinese media and institutions that are involved in promoting books and reading.

If you would like to know more about current options for support, please contact the Goethe-Institut directly!